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Fall of Mogadishu
Part of the War in Somalia (2006-present)
Somalis stand next to a pick-up truck which the Islamists Courts Council surrendered in Mogadishu
Date December 27, 2006 - Location Mogadishu, Somalia Result Government forces take control of Mogadishu
Combatants
Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist Militias Foreign fighters	Transitional Federal Government Ethiopia[1][2]

The Fall of Mogadishu began on December 27, 2006, when the militaries of Somalia's United Nations-approved Transitional Federal Government and Ethiopia surrounded the Somalian capital of Mogadishu after a swift string of TFG/Ethiopian military victories, in an attempt to force the surrender of the Islamic Courts Union, which is headquartered there.^[3] Image File history File links Current_event_marker. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist militias Alleged:  Eritrea Foreign jihadists Puntland Galmudug Transitional Government of Somalia  Ethiopia[1] Commanders Hassan Aweys Hasan Hersi Adan Ayrow Barre Adan Shire Hirale Abdi Qeybdid Adde Musa (Puntland) Meles Zenawi Strength 10,000 – 30,000 soldiers 500 – 2000 technicals Heavy weapons including artillery... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (362nd in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mogadishus location in Somalia Mogadishu (Somali: Muqdisho, popularly Xamar; Arabic: ‎ ; Italian: ), is the largest city in Somalia, and its nominal capital. ... Image File history File links Somalia_Islamic_Courts_Flag. ... Motto: none Anthem: none Capital (and largest city) Mogadishu Somali and Arabic Government  - Executive Chairman Sharif Sheikh Ahmed  - Shura Chairman Hassan Dahir Aweys Civil War Faction Has not declared autonomy nor independence   - Established June 6th 2006 in Mogadishu  Area  - Total not finalized/civil war km² (not ranked) n/a sq... Image File history File links Somalia_Islamic_Courts_Flag. ... Mujahideen (Arabic: ‎, , strugglers) is an Islamic-Arabic term for Muslims fighting in a war, or involved in any other struggle. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Somalia. ... The Transitional Federal Parliament is the parliament of Somalia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ethiopia. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist militias Alleged:  Eritrea Foreign jihadists Puntland Galmudug Transitional Government of Somalia  Ethiopia[1] Commanders Hassan Aweys Hasan Hersi Adan Ayrow Barre Adan Shire Hirale Abdi Qeybdid Adde Musa (Puntland) Meles Zenawi Strength 10,000 – 30,000 soldiers 500 – 2000 technicals Heavy weapons including artillery... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist Militias Foreign fighters Alleged:  Eritrea Transitional Federal Government Ethiopia[1] Casualties 700 dead or wounded (TFG claim) SomaliNet 400 killed (ICU claim) [1] The Battle of Baidoa began on December 20, 2006 when the Somali Transitional Federal Governments forces (TFG) allied with Ethiopian... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Ethiopia Puntland Galmudug (Abdi Qeybdid) Commanders Puntland: Abdulrahman Said Dhegaweyne Galmudug: Col. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union  Ethiopia Casualties 60 killed [1] 12 taken prisoner The Battle of Beledweyne occured on December 24 to December 25, 2006 when Ethiopian troops seized that Somalian town from Islamic Courts Union fighters, according to some news agencies. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist Militias Foreign fighters Transitional Federal Government Ethiopia[1][2] The Battle of Jowhar was a battle between the Somalian Islamic Courts Union and Transitional Federal Government during the Somali Civil War. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (362nd in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, and social equity. ... The Transitional Federal Parliament is the parliament of Somalia. ... Motto: none Anthem: Soomaaliyeey Toosoow Capital (and largest city) Mogadishu Somali, Arabic Government Baidoa: Federal Republic Mogadishu: Theocratic Krytocracy Hargeisa: Republic Garowe: Autonomous Republic  - Baidoa: President Prime Minister Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed Ali Mohammed Ghedi  - Mogadishu: Executive Chairman Shura Chairman Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Hassan Dahir Aweys  - Hargeisa: President Dahir Riyale Kahin... Mogadishus location in Somalia Mogadishu (Somali: Muqdisho, popularly Xamar; Arabic: ‎ ; Italian: ), is the largest city in Somalia, and its nominal capital. ... The Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has approximately 100,000 personnel, which makes it one of the largest military forces in Africa. ... Motto: none Anthem: none Capital (and largest city) Mogadishu Somali and Arabic Government  - Executive Chairman Sharif Sheikh Ahmed  - Shura Chairman Hassan Dahir Aweys Civil War Faction Has not declared autonomy nor independence   - Established June 6th 2006 in Mogadishu  Area  - Total not finalized/civil war km² (not ranked) n/a sq...

Background

Main articles: Battle of Baidoa, Battle of Bandiradley, Battle of Beledweyne, and Battle of Jowhar

The ICU was resigned to the capital city of Mogadishu after a series of successive losses at the battles of Baidoa, Bandiradley, Beledweyne, and finally Jowhar. Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist Militias Foreign fighters Alleged:  Eritrea Transitional Federal Government Ethiopia[1] Casualties 700 dead or wounded (TFG claim) SomaliNet 400 killed (ICU claim) [1] The Battle of Baidoa began on December 20, 2006 when the Somali Transitional Federal Governments forces (TFG) allied with Ethiopian... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Ethiopia Puntland Galmudug (Abdi Qeybdid) Commanders Puntland: Abdulrahman Said Dhegaweyne Galmudug: Col. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union  Ethiopia Casualties 60 killed [1] 12 taken prisoner The Battle of Beledweyne occured on December 24 to December 25, 2006 when Ethiopian troops seized that Somalian town from Islamic Courts Union fighters, according to some news agencies. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist Militias Foreign fighters Transitional Federal Government Ethiopia[1][2] The Battle of Jowhar was a battle between the Somalian Islamic Courts Union and Transitional Federal Government during the Somali Civil War. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist Militias Foreign fighters Alleged:  Eritrea Transitional Federal Government Ethiopia[1] Casualties 700 dead or wounded (TFG claim) SomaliNet 400 killed (ICU claim) [1] The Battle of Baidoa began on December 20, 2006 when the Somali Transitional Federal Governments forces (TFG) allied with Ethiopian... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Ethiopia Puntland Galmudug (Abdi Qeybdid) Commanders Puntland: Abdulrahman Said Dhegaweyne Galmudug: Col. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union  Ethiopia Casualties 60 killed [1] 12 taken prisoner The Battle of Beledweyne occured on December 24 to December 25, 2006 when Ethiopian troops seized that Somalian town from Islamic Courts Union fighters, according to some news agencies. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist Militias Foreign fighters Transitional Federal Government Ethiopia[1][2] The Battle of Jowhar was a battle between the Somalian Islamic Courts Union and Transitional Federal Government during the Somali Civil War. ...

Somalia's envoy to Ethiopia confirmed Ethiopian-backed Somali government troops would lay siege to Mogadishu until it surrenders, rather than assault the city. "We are not going to fight for Mogadishu to avoid civilian casualties... Our troops will surround Mogadishu until they surrender," he told reporters in Addis Ababa. ^[4] A siege is a military blockade and assault of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition. ...

ICU troops abandoned their barracks in the town of Balcad, the last town before the outskirts of Mogadishu. Ethiopian and Somali government forces, accompanied by patrolling Ethiopian jets, approached within 30 km of the city.^[5] Balad is a town in the Middle Shabelle region of Somalia. ...

Clan leaders in Mogadishu are considering whether to back the government troops advancing on the capital. This would preempt a possible lengthy and bloody fight for the capital and deal a devastating blow to the Islamic Courts. Islamic fighters were seen changing out of their uniforms and into civilian clothing while women were spotted on the streets selling the stimulant khat which was banned by the Islamists.^[3] Binomial name Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ...

Areas in the north of Mogadishu were reported to be taken over by clan militias who rapidly switched allegiances and reversed the policies of the ICU, allowing khat to be sold openly, and for cinemas to reopen. ICU troops were reported in hiding and there was speculation in the capital that Kismayo would fall soon.^[6]

Resignation of ICU Leaders

As fighting neared Mogadishu, the Islamists turned over their weapons to the clans in the capital and the Hawiye, Somalia's largest clan, has begun discussing a peaceful resolution with the interim government. The stability created by the Islamic militias has also begun to collapse with people returning to their homes and bandits once again roaming the streets.^[7] The Hawiye (or Hawiya) is a Somali clan, comprising about 25% of the Somali population. ...

The top leaders of the ICU, including Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Sheikh Abdirahman Janaqow, resigned in anticipation of the siege in order to prevent more bloodshed. Their official press release called upon ICU fighters to secure the areas in which they were stationed and expressed their regret that foreign powers had invaded the country and that Somalia would return to chaos.^[8] For other uses, see Sheikh (disambiguation). ... Mr. ... Sheikh Sharif Ahmed (born January 1964) is the leader of the Islamic Court Union (ICU), which currently controls Somalias capital of Mogadishu. ...

Government Takes Control

On December 28, TFG spokesman Abdirahman Dinari cautiously expressed, "We are taking control of the city and I will confirm when we have established complete control... Our forces already effectively control Mogadishu because we have taken over the two control points on the main roads outside the city... Within two to three hours we will capture the whole city." He also added the government was in control of 95% of the country, but a state of emergency would be imposed to bring law and order back to the country. An ebullient Member of Parliament, Mohamed Jama Fuurah called Reuters from the port of Mogadishu saying, "The government has taken over Mogadishu. We are now in charge." Pro-government militias were said to have control of key locations, including the former presidential palace.^[9] December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 3 days remaining. ...

ICU fighters are said to have fled towards the port city of Kismayo, their last remaining stronghold, 300 miles (500km) to the south. ^[10] This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist Militias Foreign fighters Alleged:  Eritrea Transitional Federal Government Ethiopia[1] Casualties 700 dead or wounded (TFG claim) SomaliNet 400 killed (ICU claim) [1] The Battle of Baidoa began on December 20, 2006 when the Somali Transitional Federal Governments forces (TFG) allied with Ethiopian... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Ethiopia Puntland Galmudug (Abdi Qeybdid) Commanders Puntland: Abdulrahman Said Dhegaweyne Galmudug: Col. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union  Ethiopia Casualties 60 killed [1] 12 taken prisoner The Battle of Beledweyne occured on December 24 to December 25, 2006 when Ethiopian troops seized that Somalian town from Islamic Courts Union fighters, according to some news agencies. ... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist militias Alleged:  Eritrea Foreign jihadists Puntland Galmudug Transitional Government of Somalia  Ethiopia[1] Commanders Hassan Aweys, Hasan Hersi Barre Adan Shire Hirale Abdi Qeybdid Adde Musa (Puntland) Meles Zenawi Strength 10,000 – 30,000 soldiers 500 – 2000 technicals Heavy weapons including artillery, GTA and... Combatants Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist Militias Foreign fighters Transitional Federal Government Ethiopia[1][2] The Battle of Jowhar was a battle between the Somalian Islamic Courts Union and Transitional Federal Government during the Somali Civil War. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ethiopia. ... Meles Zenawi (Legesse Zenawi Asres) (Geez መለስ ዜናዊ meles zÄ“nāwÄ«) (b. ... Image File history File links Icu_flag. ... Motto: none Anthem: none Capital (and largest city) Mogadishu Somali and Arabic Government  - Executive Chairman Sharif Sheikh Ahmed  - Shura Chairman Hassan Dahir Aweys Civil War Faction Has not declared autonomy nor independence   - Established June 6th 2006 in Mogadishu  Area  - Total not finalized/civil war km² (not ranked) n/a sq... Mr. ... Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed (born July 25, 1964) is the leader of the Islamic Court Union (ICU), which currently controls Somalias capital of Mogadishu. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Somalia. ... The Transitional Federal Parliament is the parliament of Somalia. ... Ali Mohammed Ghedi or Mohammed Ali Ghedi (Somali: ; born 1952) is a veterinary surgeon and an African Union official; he was relatively unknown in political circles when he was appointed as Prime Minister of Somalia in November 2004. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Somalia. ... Motto: None Anthem(s): Puntland Somalian National Anthem Capital Garowe Largest city Bosaso Official language(s) Somali and Arabic Government  - President Mohamud Muse Hersi  - Vice-President Hasan Dahir Independence From Somalia   - Declared 1998   - Recognition none  Area  - Total ~250,000 km² (not ranked) n/a sq mi   - Water (%) Negl. ... REDIRECT Mohamud Muse Hersi Adde ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Somalia. ... Galmudug is an unrecognized self-declared state in Somalia, based in the southern half of the city and district of Galcayo. ... Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid is a Somali warlord whose forces fought on behalf of the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism against the Islamic Courts Union in the 2nd Battle of Mogadishu. ...

References